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Who Is Akash Deep? The RCB Star Who Received His Maiden Test Call Up vs ENG

image-lsfs5auiAkash Deep plays for RCB in IPL [X.com]

Uncapped seamer Akash Deep was handed a surprise maiden Test call-up on Saturday (February 10) as the BCCI announced the squad for the last three Tests of the ongoing five-match series against England. 

The Bengal seamer joined a group of four pacers part of the contingent ahead of the third Test in Rajkot, starting Thursday (February 15). 

Rallying on a wave following his strong domestic performances, Deep was asked to travel to Saurashtra for the third Test, having earlier been selected without bagging a cap for the Asian Games T20I in China in September and also as a backup pacer for the ODIs against South Africa in December. 

The 27-year-old, who has taken his 103 first-class wickets at just 23.18 apiece over 29 matches, recently banged the door of selection hard with impressive performances for India A versus the touring England Lions. The right-arm medium pacer took 13 wickets in three four-day encounters, including a pair of four-wicket hauls. 

Who is Akash Deep?

Indian fans, who don't quite follow the Ranji Trophy and first-class cricket closely, would be more aware of Akash Deep as a Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) seamer in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Brought by RCB ahead of IPL 2022 for INR 20 lakhs, he has played seven matches and taken six wickets for the popular franchise. 

RCB skipper Faf du Plessis had been left impressed with the Bengal pacer's ability to generate movement with the new ball and deliver the hard lengths once the shine wore off. 

"I was impressed the most with Akash Deep. He was excellent with the new ball, bowled very good hard lengths," Du Plessis had said during Deep's first season with the RCB. 

"I was surprised by his pace as well. It is very pleasing for us to have young fast bowlers stepping up."

The steady pacer has also played 28 List A and 41 overall domestic T20 games with 42 wickets at 24.50 in the 50-over version and 48 scalps at an economy rate of 7.52 in T20s, respectively.